The Scott's Bass Lessons Podcast

Playing bass on a cruise ship is a great chance to hone your chops, save up some money and see the world. Sounds like an amazing gig, right? Cruise ship life can also be intense with long working hours and no days off for months. Ever wondered if gigging on ships is really worth it? In today’s episode, Scott and Ian talk through the pros and cons of gigging at sea!

If you take a punt on an electric bass as a financial investment, how do you know which one to invest in? In terms of making money, big returns are far from guaranteed. But still, if you stick to the biggest names and time your purchase right, you may get lucky and have a hit on your hands. In today’s episode, Scott and Ian discuss whether you can predict which brand is going to be worth the big money.

Turning on the radio or pushing play on your favorite Spotify playlist often means a few minutes to relax, but if that's the only way you listen to music then you're missing out on an invaluable skill that every bass player should have. In today’s episode, we dive into the science behind intentional listening, and how it can give you the full sonic picture as a musician.

If you’ve got a few thousand dollars to spend on a bass, the chances are that you’re looking for more than just another bog-standard 4-string. This kind of money gets you into boutique territory and a world’s worth of luxury instruments. However, with a big budget comes a big responsibility. In this episode Scott and Ian dig into what the future holds for boutique brands like MTD, Ken Smith and Fodera Guitars.

Many of us will want to own a certain axe because it’s what our favourite bassist plays, be it Victor Wooten’s Fodera, Flea’s Fender Jazz Bass or Nathan East’s Yamaha. We’ve all done it when choosing gear. In today’s episode, Ian and I compare notes on our newly found Ken Smith basses, and discuss what makes them the most playable basses that money can buy!

Have you always been curious about effects, but just don’t know where to start? Clever use of a stompbox can transform even the most ordinary bass tone into classic. In today’s episode, Ian Allison answers your questions about how they work and some of the obscure differences between them - plus, he offers some pointers for finding your own tone. Time to get stomping!

From geeking out on Michael Jackson’s Earth Song to meeting Marcus Miller, upcoming Slap Accelerators to a dedicated SBL marketplace, in today’s episode Scott and Ian take a deep dive into SBL’s future plans. So grab your coffee, take a seat, and let’s go!

Most bass players can’t afford to shell out thousands of dollars on a wall of classic amps to do their creative bidding, yet a good amp sim can save you tons of time and money. Run your bass through one of these plugins and you’ll have hundreds of iconic bass tones at your fingertips. In this episode Ian sets out to compare the flexibility of both recording options.

As gloriously varied as it is hugely popular, playing bass on a church gig is no small feat. In this episode, Ian Allison takes a closer look at church music: what it is, what you should expect and some of the best bass players to listen to.

Tony Levin’s intuitive bass work can be heard on Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’ or Kate Bush’s ‘Don’t Give Up’, while his talent pool as a gifted multi-instrumentalist has also been tapped by the likes of King Crimson, John Lennon, Paul Simon and David Bowie. In this special interview for Bass Space 2022, Ian Allison looks back over his remarkable career.

In this episode Ian Allison talks to Chuck Rainey, one of the most admired bass players in popular music. Chuck has played and recorded with the likes of King Curtis, Sam Cooke, Etta James, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones. This is an excerpt from Bass Space 2022.

Having 70 million songs at your fingertips has never been easier, but is Spotify evil when it comes to paying artists? There are various opinions floating around about the platform, but the opportunity for musicians to reach a larger audience and potentially get paid is surely a good thing? In this episode Scott and Ian set out to debunk the biggest myths about one of the world’s most successful streaming services.

Normally bass players are ALL chops or all groove. Hubert Eaves IV has it all. It was back in 1997 when we first discovered his bass playing thanks to Erykah Badu Live. In this episode Ian and Scott talk to Hubert about the making of that incredible album. Who said pocket has to be boring?

Every bass player is on a quest to find their perfect bass. While the stars might align for some players who find the one perfect instrument, the rationale for owning not just two, but many different bass guitars, can be pretty easy to argue, as Ian and Scott explore in this episode.

Life is a series of choices. And while there isn't an official rulebook for playing bass, there are a few tried-and-tested traditions that we often feel obliged to follow. But following a rule just because it’s there isn’t always the best step forward. In this latest episode, Ian Allison explores how breaking the rules can sometimes help make you more successful.

We’ve all had that moment when we hear a huge sounding bass solo for the first time, and it just blows us away. We’re talking Cliff Burton on Metallica’s Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth), Jaco with Weather Report or Flea with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Bass solos might be less fashionable than they were a generation ago, but they still draw us in every time. In this episode Ian and Scott talk you through all you need to know.

An integral part of Paquito D’Rivera’s band for many years, Oscar Stagnaro has been a Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston since 1988. He’s been largely responsible for the school’s development of Latin education, and in today’s episode he tells Scott about his move to the US and his Surf Rock roots.

Whether it’s your very first bass, or another one to add to your collection, buying a new axe should always be an exciting time. Regardless of whether you got a new bass yesterday or 50 years ago. Today, Ian and Scott come together to celebrate a ‘New Bass Day’ for Ian, and discuss some of their newly found bass heroes.

The sheer number of different revenue streams available to musicians is higher than it’s ever been in the past. But do you really need god-like knowledge to kickstart your career and grow an income as an artist? In this episode Ian and Scott tackle the topic of how to make money with your music.

5-string basses seem more popular than ever…so what’s all the fuss about? If you’ve been thinking about getting a 5-string, or maybe even a 6-string bass or beyond! There are a few things that are worth considering. In this episode Scott and Ian discuss the pros and cons. Who knew that adding an extra string could complicate things so much?